Income Gradients and Body Mass Index Among Community Adults in Northeast Pennsylvania: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Obesity contributes substantially to cardiometabolic disease and is socially patterned by income and socioeconomic status. Appalachian communities experience persistent economic disadvantage and elevated chronic disease burden. This study examines the association between household income and body mass index (BMI) among community-dwelling adults in northeast Pennsylvania. Cross-sectional data were collected from 254 adults between 2017 and 2021. Height and weight were directly measured. Household income was categorized into six ordinal levels. Linear regression estimated associations between income and BMI, adjusting for age and sex. Mean age was  years and mean BMI was . Income was inversely associated with BMI in unadjusted models () and remained consistent after adjustment (). Findings suggest a graded socioeconomic pattern in BMI within this Appalachian community. Addressing structural economic inequities may help reduce obesity-related disparities in the region.